People who experience foot pain due to fallen arches or congenital flat feet often benefit from wearing orthotics, which are plastic inserts put into the shoes. Individually designed Custom Orthotics Shoes in Grand Rapids, MI usually are better than over-the-counter versions because of the precise fit created by professional orthotists. Wearing one-size-fits-all orthotics devices can be ineffective and even uncomfortable.
Orthotic devices are useful for people who don’t deal with foot pain but have other symptoms that may be related to the feet and ankles. Back and hip pain, for example, can be caused by walking on feet without sufficient arch height. Custom Orthotics Shoes in Grand Rapids, MI ensure that the bones and tendons in the feet, ankles and lower legs are aligned properly, thus preventing painful symptoms there or in the back and hips.
With attention from a doctor who orders custom-manufactured products from a facility such as Befitting You Medical Supply, the patient receives personalized results that address a particular problem. An individual who only develops back or foot pain when jogging, for instance, may benefit from a different kind of shoe insert than a person who has to stand and walk throughout the workday. Even people with relatively minor arch problems may benefit from customized shoe inserts in addition to wearing shoes with optimum support, especially if they spend many hours in the workplace on their feet.
People who suffer from pain when they walk, stand or do other physical activities tend to become more sedentary. This has negative implications for health and also reduces their quality of life. They are more likely to gain weight if they decrease physical recreational activity. Higher cholesterol levels and other health problems are associated with inactivity. To avoid discomfort, these individuals may have to turn down invitations to walk through neighborhood rummage sales, play tennis or take hikes in the woods. They may resort to taking over-the-counter pain medication every day, and that can cause unpleasant side effects like stomach upset and even ulcers. Custom orthotic inserts can even help some individuals avoid foot surgery to rebuild arches and end chronic pain.
